In recent days, videos circulating on social media have shown large groups of foreign nationals leaving buildings in Cambodia. These buildings are widely believed to be linked to online scam operations. The footage, shared mainly on TikTok, shows people carrying luggage and boarding buses, often in an orderly manner.
The videos emerged as Cambodian authorities and regional governments stepped up efforts to address online scam networks. These networks are ones that have operated in the country for years.
Scenes from Multiple Locations
Footage shared online shows similar scenes unfolding in several locations, including Sihanoukville and border towns such as Poipet and Bavet — areas previously identified as hotspots for online scam activity.
In some videos, dozens of people are seen leaving large buildings late at night, quietly walking with suitcases and backpacks. The individuals appear to be foreign nationals, though their identities and employment status have not been officially confirmed.
Embassy Confirms Mass Departures
The online footage coincides with official figures released by Indonesia’s embassy in Phnom Penh, which said more than 1,400 Indonesian nationals left online scam groups in Cambodia over a five-day period in mid-January.
According to the embassy, the Indonesians sought assistance after leaving scam-linked operations and were helped to return home, many of them lacking valid travel documents. The embassy described the departures as part of ongoing efforts to assist citizens caught up in online scam networks.
Buildings Fall Quiet after Departures
Residents living near some of the locations shown in the videos told local media that buildings which had been active for years suddenly became quiet following the departures.
In parts of Kandal province, locals said they observed large numbers of foreign residents leaving within a short span of time. Nearby commercial buildings and casinos were also seen to be temporarily closed or operating with minimal activity.
Police Confirm Activity, Limited Details Released
Local police in certain areas confirmed that people were seen leaving buildings linked to online scam investigations. In Battambang, authorities acknowledged that a raid took place at a suspected online scam site late at night, though they did not disclose details regarding arrests or the number of people involved.
Officials in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville did not comment at the time of reporting. The departures come amid increased cooperation between Cambodia and regional partners to combat online fraud and transnational crime.
According to official data cited by Cambodian authorities, thousands of foreign nationals have been detained or deported in recent years for offences linked to online scams, with multiple embassies involved in assisting their citizens.
Longstanding Issue under Renewed Scrutiny
Online scam networks have operated in Cambodia for years, often targeting victims overseas. Human rights groups and foreign governments have repeatedly raised concerns over forced labour, human trafficking, and organised crime linked to these operations.
While authorities have carried out periodic crackdowns, the recent videos — alongside embassy-confirmed departures — have renewed attention on the scale of foreign involvement in Cambodia’s online scam centres and ongoing efforts to dismantle them.
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